Role Club Boots (Questions for the experienced)

[VictorShadow]

Hi there! I am about to place an order for a pair of Role Club engineer boots. I have a few questions, and am hoping folks on here can help me.

1. Does anyone own RC boots in both the 1940 and 2307 lasts. I am wondering what you think of the lasts. I am having a hard time deciding between the two.

2. I don't know if I should go with a structured toe or a soft toe, and honestly don't even know what the difference is.

3. I want a pair of black engineer boots. He offers CXL leather, super horsehide, and something called Hand Finished Black Horsehide. Does anyone know the differences between these leathers?

4. What is an edge finish? The choices are dark brown, medium brown, natural and black. But I have no idea what this is.

5. Any recommendations on heel height? Standard is 1 7/8 inches and lower is 1 1/2 inches. It's a small difference, but I'm curious what the difference may be to the wearer.

Thanks so much!

 

[Kirk Stevenson]

Hi @VictorShadow, I own two pairs of Role clubs. Both the 1940 and the 2307 lasts. I will post some pictures tomorrow that may help you visualize the differences. The 1940 last has a more bulbous toe. The 2307 last has more of a dress shoe proportion. I feel the difference is not super noticeable but in my case with my very wide foot I like the look of the 2307 last as I feel it make my foot look a little more proportional. I will post some side by side photos tomorrow.

Both of my pairs have a structured toebox. This means that the top of the toe will not flatten or collapse onto your foot with wear. The unstructured toe is more historically correct but I just dont like the look.

One pair is black one is green. Both are made of Shell cordovan Horsehide. This option is different than the ones you mentioned and does have a extra cost. The Cxl is steer hide. The super horsehide is a very grainy leather. The hand finished has a black dye rubbed on it that wears off during wear letting the brown color underneath show through. They also call this teacore. ( if I have any of this wrong someone please correct me.)

Edge finish refers to the color of the side of the sole. My black pair of boots has a dark brown edge finish. My green pair has a natural edge finish. You can also have the smaller edges of the individual pieces of leather that make up the boot be left natural or dyed to match.

My boots both have a 1 7/8 heel. As far as what to recommend to you that is purely personal preference. I like the heel I have and would not go lower.

Also just a extra note. I have had other boots custom made for me. Not all fit that great. I have a very wide foot. Brian's boots where the best fit out of the box. I was not able to be measured in person as I live in Canada. I only sent in the measurements requested by Brian.

Regards
Kirk

 

[Kirk Stevenson]

 

[Kirk Stevenson]

 

[Kirk Stevenson]

I have had the black pair for about a year. The green ones are new. When I ordered the second pair I decided to have the ankle strap a little shorter as I did not want it to droop or hang down. The green boots I felt where a bit dressier so wanted a cleaner look. The wait time for the boots does take a while but remember that he is a one man show. They are totally worth it.

 

[Bfd70]

So, the black are the 1940?

 

[Kirk Stevenson]

Yes the black boots are the 1940 last. Both pair have a structured toe.
Regards
Kirk

 

[VictorShadow]

Hi Kirk,

Thanks so much for answering my questions.

Your boots look amazing!

I contacted Brian, and unfortunately the boots will not be delivered until August 2022! That's how big the waiting list is right now. That's a two year wait. I still will probably order them, and then have something to look forward to. I'm curious how long you had to wait for yours.

 

[handymike]

Those black ones are CRAZY AWESOME!!!!

 

[AeroFan_07]

I love both these pair of boots! Simply incredible and hard to even grasp the quality of construction here.

 

[regius]

I am waiting on a pair of black roleclub in the 1940 last, I was one of Brian's earlier customers back in the day, with a pair of the 30s last (forgot the model number, maybe 2307? maybe 1930?), soft toe. The 30s last just look a bit too narrow looking from above, I liked it to have a bit of a shape, taper, dressy cowboy-ish, so I am now choosing the 1940 last, but, i have to say, the ones with a toebox looks a bit too bulbous??

 

[Aquinn]

Hi Kirk! Any chance you can post updated photos of your boots? I’m trying to decide whether to get my role clubs with structured toes or not and would love to see your green boots once they were broken in. Thank you!!

Aza

 

[andyone]

Roleclub just released an Engineer boot on a new last (called 1945) and with a new leather (Italian horse hide). Some infos are on the homepage:
https://www.roleclub.com/limitedrelease/74uk3b4biyqp3umh137m5cro58gqpv